In-Hospital and Interstage Mortality After Late Norwood Procedure: Acknowledging the Risks When We Are Running Out of Time

Background: A Norwood procedure performed after 14 days of life is notably burdened by a high mortality. We analysed the real risk and which other factors influence the mortality in late Norwood procedures. Methods: A single-centre, retrospective review of a series of consecutive patients who underwent a surgical Norwood procedure from January 2019 until December 2023. The patients’ characteristics were considered to identify the factors associated with in-hospital and interstage mortality. Results: 35 patients were included and 71% (25) of the patients underwent the Norwood procedure after 14 days of life. The median age was 27 days (6–259 days). The in-hospital mortality was 26% (9/35) with 89% (8) of the deceased being older than 15 days at the time of the surgery. Other factors that negatively affected the outcome were a restrictive interatrial septum defect (ASD) in 66% of all patients (23), the need for mechanical ventilation in 46% (16) and systemic infection prior to surgery in 43% (15). Conclusions: Age at the time of Norwood was not associated with a higher risk of mortality, but other factors such as restrictive ASD, preoperative infection and the need for mechanical ventilation prior to surgery are even more important in predicting the short-term outcome.